Administering in-class formative assessments means that teachers can slow down or backtrack when there are too many wrong answers. Types of formative assessments include:
- index card summaries and explanations of course big ideas
- index cards with questions posed at the teacher regarding misconceptions or things students don't understand yet
- hand signals indicating understanding or lack thereof
- one-minute essays gauging comprehension
- question boxes bulletin boards or an email address where students can ask about misconceptions or lack of understanding privately
- concept maps
- oral questioning
These checks for understanding over time teach students to gauge their own understanding and improve metacognitive skills.